Every IFS aspirant dreams of becoming a government officer, serving the country and at the same time enjoying various perquisites. IFS post is one of the most famous civil services like Indian Administrative Services and Indian Police Services. To become an IFS officer, you need to clear the UPSC exam. Those candidates who successfully pass out and select the post for foreign services undergo training for three years before becoming an IFS officer. IFS officers enjoy the same prestige as IAS officers and also get equivalent facilities. Indian Foreign Services (IFS) is one of the top civil services recruited through UPSC CSE.
Comparison with IAS Officer
All diplomats lead a luxurious life. They usually get grand houses with peons. IFS officers do not have to worry about working with politicians like their counterpart IAS officers. The IFS officers are generally posted abroad. The salary of an IFS officer is higher than an IAS officer due to higher allowances. IAS officers are entitled to various perquisites along with their yearly salary. However, in their initial posting, they are posted in sub-divisional towns. Some aspirants sitting for the UPSC exam might want to know about the perks provided to an IFS officer, like, “does an IFS officer get a car?” The various perks offered to higher ranks diplomats also includes IFS officer cars as travel conveyance.
Understanding IFS
An IFS officer is a diplomat who has to protect Indian interests abroad. On the other hand, an IAS is also a diplomat sanction with the responsibility of administration within India. The role of both services is to develop the country and protect the nation’s interests in their way. It also depends upon the individuals to select the services depending upon their interests. IFS officers are provided all the gratuities for their work to help them focus their attention on protecting our country’s interest.
Roles & Responsibilities
An IFS officer works under the communication of the Ministry of External Affairs. An IFS officer is required to project India’s interests in a variety of issues. The issues may include bilateral political and economic cooperation, trade and investment, press and media issues. Indian diplomats need to represent India in its embassies, commissions, consulates and other organisations like the UN. They are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting India’s national interests in the country of posting. They have to regularly report accurately for the formulation of India’s policies aboard. An IFS officer must attend several meetings in embassies and different organisations and consult with several high-ranking professionals. Therefore, they need to travel a lot, and hence, a personal car is a must.
Also Read: What Qualification is Required for IAS? What Rank is Required for IAS?
Promotions
After completing their training at Mussoorie, the IFS officers have to work with the Ministry of External Affairs. They have to either join within the ministry or in foreign nations. Promotions of IFS officers range from “secretary to foreign secretary” who serve from India. The post of IFS starts from “junior time scale” to “High Commissioner/ Ambassador.” Since the IFS officer posting is in a foreign country, they are eligible for various perks. IFS officers are also eligible to receive increments in their career. Their increments are also pre-defined by the 7th pay commission, and they are allowed to receive a lot of perquisites compared to private job employees.
Salary & Perquisites
The IFS officer’s income is approximately Rs. 60000 monthly, along with all benefits and allowances. However, this salary varies based on the candidate’s posting in various countries. Again, the special compensation of the IFS officer varies from country to country. If an IFS officer has a posting in the Indian Embassy in the USA, the officer can get around 2.40 lakh per month as a special foreign allowance. IFS officers also benefit under the 7th pay commission along with three increments when they move to a senior level. They also enjoy the perks such as fully furnished accommodation at cheaper rates. Along with perquisites, can an IFS officer buy a car in foreign? The IFS officers are eligible to buy a car in foreign countries depending upon their requirements with all the amenities.
Other Facilities
A car is not available to every officer in the government department. But the IFS officers are provided other facilities such as a white passport for an official. An IFS officer also benefits from getting first-class flight tickets for themselves and their immediate family to the country of appointment. They get exposure to meet various personalities and travel to multiple countries in their career. They get perquisites for water, free electricity, free mobile charges, pension and other retirement benefits. Along with other facilities, are cars given to IFS officer?. Not only cars are provided to the IFS officer, but more facilities are also provided such as travel trips, family insurance and many more.
Life of an IFS Officer
However, as the work of IFS looks too glamorous, there is a lot of hard work behind it. Car of IAS officers are extravagant and glamorous, but they have to work hard to earn them. They have to dedicatedly observe and record every record which affects India’s foreign policy interests. One wrong move may affect the IFS officer’s career. They have a transferable job, so they have to compromise many things in their career and personal life. Many times, the life of an IFS officer may be under threat due to some revolutions in society. They have also been the duty of coordinating intelligence gathering and lobbying activities in the country of posting.
Also Read: Big Breaking: Will UPSC Prelims 2020 be Postponed Again?
Which One to Choose?
It is the choice of the UPSC aspirants to select IAS or IFS as a career option for them. Both IAS and IFS officers enjoy similar kinds of benefits while remaining in the service. However, to become an IFS officer, one needs to work hard and be passionate to become a government officer. IFS officer is also a prestigious job similar to IAS officer where you serve your country from a foreign land. IFS officers represent the country in various countries, and expectations are comparatively more. Therefore, they enjoy benefits like a personal car, special salary, etc., as they have to work very hard.
Conclusion
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